It all started with 6 white-tailed deer brought into Finland from the USA and released into the wild in the early 20th century. And today, just a few generations later, there is a stable population of these even-toed ungulates in Finland established.

A story by Teemu Simenius:

In the United States, the whitetail is by far the game species hunted most frequently with bows and arrows and is therefore largely responsible for the further development of bowhunting. In Finland, hunting with the bow has been regulated by law since 2001, but whitetail hunting has only been permitted since 2017. 

Teemu Simenius, Organization Chief of Finnish Hunting Association has been bowhunting since the beginning of 2000, starting his career in whitetail bowhunting on his trips to north America years before bowhunting for whitetails was allowed in Finland. Teemu has gathered an excessive experience on calling deer during his hunting years and has shown great success luring mature bucks within bow range and harvest them.

In this story, Teemu recounts how he digs deep into his bag of tricks during a decoy hunt in November 2020. Originally not intended, he quickly adjusts his hunting strategy, but almost nullifies his hunting success for the old and clever whitetail buck.

"14th of November I finally managed to get out, attached the rattling antlers to a tree, positioned myself downwind and on to the side I thought the deer would probably circle in from, and started rattling with the wire-driven antlers, waiting for the buck to show up. After a while of calling and rattling, I noticed this buck appear further away and watched it to start getting closer. As this buck was really big with drop tines on its antlers, I felt excitement building up. Didn’t want to spook it away. As the buck closed the distance, suddenly out of nowhere a fawn appeared close to me, and for this occasion I thought it was too close. I didn’t want it to snort as they do when they’re alert, alarming all the other deer."

Finnish Bowhunting facts:

• Finnish bowhunters: app. 15,000
• Annual combined roe deer and white-tailed deer harvests: estimated 1,000+
• Species allowed for bowhunting: All ungulates (excl. moose), wildboar, small game
• Not allowed for bowhunting: Moose, larger predators (wolf, bear, lynx), seals
• Requirements for bowhunting: Hunters certificate, passed shooting test, bow draw weight 40+ lb, broadheads for all but small game.